A vehicle-mounted sensor apparatus for determining the state of at least one mechanical vehicle component is described that has at least one sensor element capturing a mechanical variable, wherein sensor data captured by the at least one sensor element are continuously capturable in any operating state of the vehicle, a communication element by means of which captured sensor data are transmittable to an external computer for further processing, and a computing unit for reducing the volume of data of the sensor data to be transmitted to the external computer.
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2. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor has a three-axis acceleration sensor and/or a three-axis angular or gyroscope sensor.
This invention relates to a sensor apparatus designed for monitoring and analyzing motion, particularly in applications requiring precise detection of acceleration and angular movement. The apparatus addresses the need for compact, multi-axis sensing capabilities to accurately capture dynamic motion data in various environments, such as industrial machinery, robotics, or wearable devices. The sensor apparatus includes at least one sensor configured to detect motion parameters. The sensor incorporates a three-axis acceleration sensor to measure linear acceleration along three orthogonal axes (X, Y, and Z), enabling comprehensive tracking of translational motion. Additionally, the apparatus may include a three-axis angular or gyroscope sensor to detect rotational movement around the same three axes, providing full six-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) motion sensing. This dual-sensor configuration allows for precise monitoring of both linear and angular motion, enhancing accuracy in applications where both types of movement are critical. The integration of these sensors into a single apparatus ensures synchronized data collection, reducing errors from misalignment or latency between separate sensors. The design is optimized for compactness and efficiency, making it suitable for integration into space-constrained systems. The apparatus may also include processing circuitry to preprocess raw sensor data, such as filtering noise or converting signals into usable motion metrics, before transmission to an external system for further analysis. This invention improves motion tracking accuracy and reliability in real-world applications.
3. The sensor apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one sensor has an acoustic sensor and/or a vibration sensor and/or a temperature sensor.
The invention relates to a sensor apparatus designed for monitoring and detecting conditions in industrial or environmental settings. The apparatus addresses the need for reliable, multi-modal sensing to improve safety, efficiency, and predictive maintenance in machinery, infrastructure, or hazardous environments. The apparatus includes at least one sensor capable of detecting acoustic, vibration, or temperature data, allowing for comprehensive monitoring of physical conditions. Acoustic sensors detect sound waves, which can indicate mechanical faults, leaks, or other anomalies. Vibration sensors measure mechanical oscillations, useful for identifying structural integrity issues or equipment wear. Temperature sensors monitor thermal variations, which can signal overheating or other critical conditions. The apparatus integrates these sensors to provide a unified system for real-time or continuous data collection, enabling early detection of potential failures or environmental changes. This multi-sensor approach enhances accuracy and reliability compared to single-sensor systems, making it suitable for applications in manufacturing, energy, transportation, and environmental monitoring. The apparatus may be deployed in fixed or portable configurations, depending on the monitoring requirements.
4. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a receiver configured to provide a geo-position determination, for assigning position data of the vehicle to the captured sensor data.
A sensor apparatus for vehicles includes a receiver that provides geo-position determination to assign position data to captured sensor data. The apparatus is designed to enhance vehicle monitoring by integrating spatial information with sensor readings, enabling precise tracking of vehicle movements and conditions. The receiver determines the vehicle's geographic coordinates, which are then linked to the sensor data, allowing for accurate mapping of sensor measurements to specific locations. This integration supports applications such as fleet management, route optimization, and safety monitoring by providing context-aware data analysis. The system ensures that sensor readings are spatially referenced, improving the reliability and usability of the collected data for various automotive and transportation applications. The apparatus may include additional components, such as sensors for detecting vehicle parameters like speed, acceleration, or environmental conditions, which are synchronized with the position data for comprehensive monitoring. The geo-positioning functionality enhances the apparatus's ability to generate detailed, location-specific insights, making it valuable for real-time and post-analysis use cases.
5. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor apparatus is electrically and/or communicationally independent of a vehicle electronics system.
A sensor apparatus is designed for use in vehicles to detect and monitor environmental or operational conditions, such as temperature, pressure, or motion. The apparatus includes one or more sensors configured to generate data related to the monitored conditions. A processing unit within the apparatus analyzes the sensor data to determine relevant parameters or trigger alerts. The apparatus may also include a power source, such as a battery, to operate independently of the vehicle's electrical system. Additionally, it may feature a communication module to transmit data wirelessly to external devices or systems, such as a remote server or a user interface. The apparatus is designed to function autonomously, without relying on the vehicle's onboard electronics for power or data processing. This independence allows the sensor apparatus to operate even if the vehicle's electrical system is compromised or disabled. The apparatus may be installed in various locations within or on the vehicle, depending on the specific application. The design ensures reliable and continuous monitoring of critical conditions, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The apparatus may also include features for data storage, allowing it to retain information for later retrieval and analysis. The communication module may support multiple wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular networks, to ensure compatibility with different external systems. The apparatus may also incorporate encryption or other security measures to protect the transmitted data.
6. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 comprising a sensor module, which is configured to continuously provide sensor data with a specifiable sampling rate, a microcontroller for reducing the volume of data of the sensor data to be transmitted to the external computer, a data memory for caching the reduced sensor data, wherein the microcontroller divides the cached sensor data into digital data packets, which are cyclically transmittable by radio technology to the external computer.
This invention relates to a sensor apparatus designed for efficient data transmission in wireless sensor networks. The apparatus addresses the challenge of minimizing power consumption and bandwidth usage while ensuring reliable data delivery from remote sensors to an external computer. The system includes a sensor module that continuously captures sensor data at a user-defined sampling rate. A microcontroller processes this data to reduce its volume before transmission, employing techniques such as compression or filtering to optimize bandwidth and energy efficiency. The reduced data is temporarily stored in a data memory, acting as a cache to manage data flow. The microcontroller then divides the cached data into digital data packets, which are transmitted cyclically to an external computer using radio technology. This cyclic transmission ensures periodic updates while maintaining low power consumption. The apparatus is particularly useful in applications requiring continuous monitoring, such as environmental sensing, industrial automation, or healthcare, where efficient data handling is critical. The system's modular design allows for flexibility in sensor integration and transmission protocols, making it adaptable to various deployment scenarios.
7. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reduction is further performed by pre-processing the captured sensor data to filter out irrelevant or redundant data components.
A sensor apparatus is designed to process and reduce the volume of sensor data collected from one or more sensors. The apparatus includes a data capture module that acquires raw sensor data, which may be generated by various types of sensors such as environmental, motion, or imaging sensors. The apparatus further includes a data reduction module that processes the captured sensor data to minimize its volume while preserving relevant information. This reduction is achieved by pre-processing the data to filter out irrelevant or redundant components, such as noise, duplicate readings, or non-critical data points. The filtered data is then transmitted or stored in a more efficient format, reducing bandwidth and storage requirements. The apparatus may also include a data transmission module to send the reduced data to a remote system for further analysis or storage. The overall system aims to improve efficiency in data handling by minimizing unnecessary data processing and transmission, particularly in applications where sensor data is generated at high rates or in resource-constrained environments.
8. The sensor apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reduction is further performed by dividing the reduced sensor data into cyclically transmittable digital data packets.
A sensor apparatus is designed to process and transmit sensor data efficiently, particularly in environments where bandwidth or transmission reliability is limited. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data and a processor that reduces the sensor data before transmission. The reduction process involves dividing the sensor data into cyclically transmittable digital data packets. These packets are structured to ensure reliable and periodic transmission, which is critical for applications requiring continuous or time-sensitive data monitoring, such as industrial automation, environmental monitoring, or medical devices. By segmenting the data into smaller, manageable packets, the apparatus minimizes transmission errors and optimizes bandwidth usage. The processor may also apply additional data compression or filtering techniques to further reduce the data size before packetization. The cyclical transmission ensures that data is sent at regular intervals, maintaining synchronization and reducing latency in data-dependent systems. This approach is particularly useful in wireless sensor networks or remote monitoring systems where consistent and timely data delivery is essential. The apparatus may also include error-checking mechanisms to verify packet integrity during transmission, enhancing overall system reliability.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein sensor data read out during an active sleep mode are initially cached in a buffer memory and the sensor data stored in the buffer memory are used when the specified threshold value is not exceeded to restore a previous time interval with respect to a relevant event.
This invention relates to sensor data processing in electronic devices, particularly during low-power or sleep modes. The problem addressed is the loss of sensor data when a device enters an active sleep mode, where sensor readings may be temporarily halted or interrupted. The solution involves caching sensor data in a buffer memory during the sleep mode. When the device resumes normal operation, the cached data is used to reconstruct or restore a previous time interval of sensor readings, ensuring continuity of data collection even if a specified threshold value (e.g., a power or timing threshold) is not exceeded during the sleep period. This method prevents gaps in sensor data, which is critical for applications requiring uninterrupted monitoring, such as environmental sensing, health tracking, or industrial automation. The buffer memory acts as a temporary storage, allowing the device to retain sensor readings until they can be processed or stored permanently. The invention ensures that relevant events captured during the sleep mode are not lost, maintaining data integrity and accuracy. The approach is particularly useful in battery-powered or energy-efficient devices where frequent wake-ups for data processing are undesirable.
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June 26, 2019
May 14, 2024
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